Smile! 20 March is the International Day of Happiness!
Created by the United Nations in 2012, the International Day of Happiness is celebrated around the world. It aims to remind people of the importance of happiness in their daily lives. On this day, the UN calls on people to incorporate simple practices into their lives in order to promote their health and well-being.
How to celebrate International Happiness Day – for yourself
We live in a very stressful world. No matter your situation, you are likely to experience stress on a daily basis, some of us more than others. There are a number of practices you can engage in to make sure you maintain a positive outlook and good mood – because nobody likes a grumpy teacher!
Read more: Burnout and the TEFL Teacher
As teachers living in a foreign country, it is inevitable that we will find ourselves under a certain amount of stress. It might be the stress of planning lessons, or marking homework, or imposter syndrome. It could be the stress of not being able to speak the local language, not knowing where the supermarket is, or everything being new and unknown. Then there is also the stress of being away from family, missing your friends back home, or having to make new friends.
Being on our feet all day, speaking a lot and interacting with many people every day is exhausting, so we need to make sure we look after ourselves so that we can be the best versions of ourselves.
Read more: 7 Steps to Creating a Work-Life Balance as an English Teacher
Here are a few things we at The TEFL Academy do for ourselves to preserve our happy selves:
- We understand that it’s okay to not be okay.
- We talk to our family and friends about our worries and stresses, to get advice or just to vent our frustrations.
- We try to eat as healthily as possible, get enough rest, and exercise daily.
- We make time for things we enjoy doing, be it going for a walk, watching a movie or reading a book – without feeling guilty!
- We use kind words when thinking or talking about ourselves and other people.
- We work with the greater community by donating items or volunteering our time.
- We remind ourselves that we are enough.
Where is the happiest place to teach?
Because our work environment is so important to our happiness and satisfaction, there are a few things to consider when deciding where to teach English as a Foreign language. Firstly, apply for teaching jobs with an age group you’ll enjoy – don’t just take any job because the money is good! Then, make sure the working hours suit you, whether you prefer working nights or weekends or the usual 9-to-5. Finally, choose a country which suits your lifestyle. Moving to a new country is a big deal so make sure you vibe with your new home.
Read more: The 10 Happiest Countries in the World to Teach in
So remember, don’t worry, be happy and don’t ruin a good day by thinking of a bad yesterday!
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